Grajumucation

As of this Friday, December 14th, I will be officially graduated. (Yes, I still get to walk in April) BUT I have done everything that I need to do to say that I have a  Bachelor of Science degree in Mathematics Education. 

ooh. Fancy. 

The last two weeks of student teaching was pure torture on account of the fact that I was burnt out on the whole not getting paid bit. The whole no-finals thing is kind of making up for that. I did have a few .. interesting moments to end that part of my life. 

1. The most awkward of them all. I had a student who really liked me. A male student who really really liked me. To the point that he noticed when I wore new clothes and complimented my hair. (This just makes him  sound gay... I'm trying to emphasize how much attention he paid me but it's not working.) Driving to school on our very last day, I told Jenepher (my teaching partner), "I hope no one tries to hug me. And by 'no one,' I mean 'Sam*'." And try he did. I dismissed the class, everyone leaves. I lean against the counter and turn my head to the back desk to talk to Jen. Then I hear, "Mrs. Gardner" extremely close to me. I turn my head and there he is, with his arms half way around me and about 8 inches from my face. In response, I gradually move my arm up, so as not to touch him (HE WAS THAT CLOSE!) and I go, "High Five!" I hope I never see him again anywhere. 

2. This one was hilarious. I misplaced my calculator which looks exactly like the school calculators so I asked all my students to check their calculators to see if it got mixed up in theirs. I approach two little guys and one of them has the same calculator. I ask him if he checked it and then remembered it was his personal calculator and had his name and phone number in it. So he holds up his calculator so his number is showing and goes, "Take a good look Mrs. Gardner." To which I respond, "Blake*! I'm a married woman!" Him and his little friend were in giggles for the next five minutes. I kid you not. Literally five minutes. I asked them if they were still laughing after those five minutes and the other one goes, "It was SOOO funny!" 

3. This one happened with the twin boys I tutor. One of them was asking me a question but wasn't wording it very well. I told him the answer depended on how he was thinking about it. He said, "Well I'm thinking about it like a 13 year old boy so how am I thinking about it?" I responded, "I have no clue. I've never been one of those." They both burst out laughing and the other twin said, "That's the second funniest thing we've heard all day!" I want to know what the first is. 

If we're to learn anything from these stories, it's that my niche in the humor department is at Junior High boy level? And that I'm happy to be graduated and a little scared of what comes next. Also, that I never got a picture of me in teacher clothes because clearly I'll be wearing sweats for the rest of my life, right Ty? 

Peace and Blessings!

*Names have been changed because I'm not really sure where these stories fall on the confidentiality spectrum. 

Almost Alive Still

You may have noticed our absence the last little while. We're heading into the last stretch of school for awhile and we've been exhausted. It's a very overwhelming feeling to know that after December 7th, I don't have to go to school ever again. 

I am a Math Teacher so it's not likely but knowing that's an option is just a little bit scary. 

Like I said, we're exhausted, over worked and sleep deprived but we've never been happier. 

Happy Holidays my lovelies! 

I am my mother

I knew this day would come. 

The day where I'm teaching and all the sudden I can't take it anymore and I unleash my rage on unsuspecting students.  

Which also happens to be the day where I also fully embarrass myself in front of my class {on purpose} to further my students' education. 

What happened today? The whole range of emotion. That's what. It's amazing I didn't pull a Kristen Bell and start crying. I was dang close. 

One of my classes was ridiculously rowdy. I just assigned a new seating chart and because of that I learned of a new combination of students that should never be within a 100 ft radius from each other. I had to ask these students to stop talking roughly a .... blah blah blah. It was a bad day. I was unraveling. I used the word "inappropriate" more than anyone ever should and one student asked me if I was having a good day to which I lied and said it was great and then he asked if the class was making it hard to maintain my "good day." I had another student ask if I would change her seat because the naughty students mentioned above were stealing her things and bothering her like crazy. I told her i'd fix the problem and then the bell rang. 

And then what did I do? I walked into the hallway where I found two students hurling a football as hard as they could at each other. And then I bee-lined to the closest child, shoved my index finger straight in his face and said through my teeth complete with fire in my eyes, "You. No." I think it was the voice of Voldemort. 

Then I went to the faculty lounge, basically pulled my hair out and said, "Oh crap. I am my mother."

And on the other end of the spectrum, another one of my classes was dead. Check them for a pulse. Poke them with a stick. Dead. So I did what any teacher would. 

I pretended I was Ellen starting her show and I played "Call Me Maybe" and danced up and down the aisles, clapping and trying to get everyone to join in. Once I decided I didn't care what forty 14 year olds thought of me, I really got into it. After which, I gave them a 2 minute break because I was winded.

Oh crap. I am my mother. 

Birthday Week

I know your birthday is only supposed to be one day but mine is always a week long event. I'm a lucky girl like that. With my family being so spread out, the cards and packages just trickle in and I LOVE IT.

{Giant Kit Kat Bar from Jen. So freaking cool! and delicious too}

However, I don't even need gifts. I love my birthday. I just love the day. I wake up hyper. The night before, I go to sleep hyper. I just can't help getting giddy. Even though this is the 24th time I've been through this, it never gets old.

{The Whole Gang!! Jaron and Emily, Cami, Scotty, Conner and Alissa, Amy and Rachel, Alli , and my love Ty}

And to top it all off, I got to spend my birthday weekend with some of my nearest and dearest. My in laws threw me a little shindig on Sunday and then we had some of my family and friends over on Monday night for cake and ice cream. Then my Washington fam called on Facetime and sang to me. Almost as good as actually being with them. Almost.

{The lovely Joanifer}

My fave birthday presents were 1) My niece's babysitter telling my sister that said niece kept saying, "Happy Birthday Emy! Emy's Birthday Today!" and 2) Ty sitting on the side of the bed, in the dark wee morning hours with his arm around me singing Happy Birthday to me. So cute!

{Love this sweet boy}

So I'm Basically a Math Teacher I Guess..

Wanna hear a joke?

What did the zero say to the eight?

“I like your belt!”

{Get it? Draw it out if you have to. Now you get it? Awesome right?} 

Hahaha it kills me. My students didn’t find it very hilarious. And I also got it off of Ellen the other night so some of them had already heard it. Namely two male students. Wha? They blame it on their moms but I know the truth.

And student teaching has been fabulous. Every single one of my fears has completely dissipated. My coordinating teacher, Mr. N., is fantastic. He is very concerned about our educational experience and makes sure we get to teach often. {If you noticed I keep saying  “we” it’s because I have a wonderful student teaching partner, Jenepher.} Mr. N. is also so excited about math and teaching that his students are excited to be there too. It has made it so easy for us to step in. How many behavioral issues have I had to deal with? Zero. Nice belt. It may not be the best thing for my overall educational experience but at the end of the day, it makes it not so scary to get up in front of them when I know they’ll be respectful.   

Also, my humor has dropped to an 8^th grade level. The other day the teacher said something about soup and a student said something about monkeys and then another student said, “Do you like your monkey soup with the bones and tail or do you prefer it without?” Wha? Hilarious. I lost it. And beyond losing it, every time I think about it, I laugh.

I’ve been so blessed to be having the experience I am but I’m also looking forward to GRADUATION. What what!! And then I’m just going to bake and sew all day long forever, right Ty? 87 days til I’m done with this biz. 

Woo! 

Last First Day

... At BYU. 

I am planning on being a teacher so there should be many more to come. 

And boy oh boy, was I stressed. I'm student teaching starting tomorrow and I had all kinds of panicked dreams last night with cameos by several people from my past including my 6th grade crush. You know, all the important people. Let's just say, it was raining, my hair was a week past "greasy", I was late and I was at my elementary school. No bueno. 

Not to mention the fact that cub scouts really had me re-thinking if I would be able to handle 30+ students at a time when I can't even deal with 3 eight year olds. 

However, after my seminar today and meeting up with my partner and University Supervisor, I'm feeling much better about the months to come and a renewed sense of why I chose this in the beginning. 

Because I love Math. Because I had great teachers. Because I want to make a difference. 

Best For Last

Now you were probably thinking, "Emily, where are the action shots of all the rides you went on?" Well don't worry, I read your mind. 

{At least the girl in front of us was ready}

{We're big fans of Space Mountain}

{ The Racers at night were the BEST}

{Not staged at all. I actually love the woman across the aisle, shielding her child in her cleavage}

{Couldn't see a freaking thing}

{The best for last}

Oh and here we are just looking fly.

{Just chillin outside Radiator Springs}

{These are the sunglasses I will never see again}

{Just hanging on Route 66}

Disneyland: Cast of Characters

It wasn't just me and Ty at Disneyland. We were fortunate to be partying with his brother {Ryan} and sister-in-law {Brittany} and two of the cutest little bitties on the face of the earth {Peyton and Jackson}. And we had a blast with them.

{Main Street. The babes were worn out.}

{Cute lil family}

{Peyton wasn't sure about him..}

 Peyton kept us all on our toes and was happy to go on ride after ride after ride. And she had a few favorites namely the Teacups and Star Tours. She was a ball of energy and it was fun watching her "experience" Disneyland for the first time. {The poor girl has already gone 4 times in her short life but this was probably the first time she appreciated it.} It was super fun watching her experience the magic and love it so much. 

{First day at the park. You can't really tell but she was putting her arm around me.}

{Teacups-- Her favorite ride. If you stare at the center, you don't get sick :)}

{Britt and P. The cutest picture ever.}

Jackson was just the happiest babe in the whole world. He smiled all day long and made friends in every line we stood in. People would stop and say how cute he was and even the workers made comments. Brittany made the comment, "You'd think these people have never seen a baby before!" I liked to hold him while everyone went on the rides. I would pretend he was mine while people told me how cute he was. 

{How can you not love that face?!}

{So content hanging in the stroller}

{Baby Lovin'}

And here are some pretty dang cute vids of Peyton enjoying her vacation. 

Disney Husbandisms

We would be disappointed if we didn't have something good from Disneyland. Naturally my dear husband had me in stitches frequently during our Disney adventure. Unfortunately the lines and the heat and overall exhaustion took its toll and I just can't remember all of them. Fortunately, there's a few I took note of.

We made a point of doing things we had never done. For Ty, that was watching 'Great Moments with President Lincoln.' After we sat down he said, 'I wonder if this is where Phil Dunphey sat.'

And after we left he said, 'Everyone should be required to watch that everytime they come to Disneyland to renew their sense of American Pride. It's like an America temple.' The funny part was the level of emotion expressed while he said this.

(In all honesty, it was very moving. President Lincoln held this country together in dire times but his message of unity is just as relevant today as it was 150 years ago. The presentation ended with the Battle Hymn of the Republic and it brought me to tears.... As usual)

And of course we have some great pictures taken during some of the rides. Here's the dialogue following this little gem from Space Mountain.

E: Look at that face. That is the face of beauty. (Referring to my own)

T: Look at that face. I did exactly what they didn't want me to do.

E: You did nothing?

T: Exactly. I stuck it to the man. No. I stuck it to the Mouse.

And lastly, this afternoon after we woke up from the nap on our very own bed back in our very own apartment, Ty says, 'How do you think Disneyland is faring without us?' And I responded, 'Not well I suspect.'

We had a great trip, we soaked up the sun and all the Disney magic we could. Until next time, my love. Until next time.

4th of July :)

{Pictures courtesy of my cousin Emma, because I don't take my camera out for nothing}

My family came down for the 4th and we were pretty excited about that. But mostly we were excited about seeing Ash Ketchum and Ry Ry, our niece and nephew. Since we Facetime a few times a week, Ashley knows who we are and was just as ecstatic to have us around. I use "us" very generally because this girl LOVES Ty. But she calls him Tyler with extra emphasis on the "-ler" part of his name. And when she comes calling, the whole world stops. Spoiled much?

{Jessica and Ashley in her tu-tu swimsuit}

{Ash Ketchum LOVES Grandpa}

{This was at the parade as the Veterans marched by with the flag. So adorable!}

Jessica asked me to make a dress for Ashley and she loved it. She'll have to grow into it but when she tried it on, she went crazy. She was dancing around and posing in front of the mirror. It was about a 10 minute ordeal of hilarious-ness. And for her go-to pose, she kinda hops, bends one knee, and kicks the other foot out while she holds her arms in second position adding some jazz hands for some extra pizazz. {She was also wearing a green top hat which I hope was leftover from St. Patty's Day and not just laying around} She's just an absolute crack up because everything she does, she does in her own way. 

{They had a rainy day yet fun was had by all. I also wanted to highlight that I bought her that little jacket and can't wait to let my babies use it.}

{And the parade while the "hosies" and parade royalty passed by.. am I the only one singing "Hello Dolly" in my head?}

And Baby Ryan.. everyone wanted to hold that little dream. He was 3 months at the time and really didn't have a say in who was holding him or not. So he got passed like a game of musical babies. Ty is the baby whisperer and he would snatch little Ry out of anyone's hands the second he started to fuss with a, "I got this," or a, "I'll calm him down." Personally I think he was trying to prove a point, whether it was "Look how awesome I am with babies! Maybe we should get one" or "Ryan likes me better than all of you, even his mom," I'm not sure we'll ever know.

{This boy wasn't feeling great cuz mom wasn't feeling great but when he was smiling, he sure meant it. This is my mom, sister and Ry Ryj}

{This is his swim attire. He never got in but he was looking the part with itty bitty board shorts and a muscle tee.}

{This is probably the one time no one was holding him.}

And I mean, I guess it was pretty good seeing Josh and Jessica and my parents. hee hee. It was fantastic getting to see them for something other than 2 seconds.

{Me in the middle with Ash Ketchum on my lap (twinners!!), Photog Emma to my right, Mumzie behind me on the right, Jessica and Josh behind me on the left, Dad and Ty lurking in the back row}

We love spending time with my family, and next week, we'll love spending time with Ty's family in DISNEYLAND!! Woo Woo!!

2 Months Along!!!

... and if they don't come out on their own, the doctor will have to do it surgically. All five of them. Quintuplets of sorts. 

Oh did you think I mean babies? Cuz I'm talking kidney stones. AGAIN.

They've been giving me off and on pain for the last 2 months and I really need them gone before Disneyland. However my dad told me that just a step above the Character Dining is the Character Ambulance ride. Of course it'll cost extra but to have Mickey accompany me to the hospital, whilst spouting off profanities, that's priceless.

The doctor was quite impressed with my timing because I went in to see him almost a year ago to the day with my first kidney stone. Ah.. the memories. In case my memories aren't as vivid to you as they are to me, go here and here for the run down.

Days

Days feel like they go so fast and sometimes so slow. Starting in January, we were anticipating summer and Seven Peaks and it felt like it would take forever. But here is it, without fail. The days keep moving. And this next little bit, we have a lot to look forward to so we'll just keep enjoying it one day at a time.

{12} days til I see my family and snuggle the bitties

{31} days til Batman - mostly important to not me

{43} days til {literally} the happiest place on earth

{71} days til I start student teaching

{91} days til my birthday 

{116} days til Matty's year mark

{135} days til Zach's 6 month mark

{172} days til my last day of school

{infinity} days til Ty gets me to go camping with him

Husbandisms 8

We were driving on the freeway on an incredibly windy day. A bird smashes into the windshield leaving feathers and other things behind. After several moments, I reach over and hit the windshield wipers.
E: I thought you were going to do that.
T: I just thought we should give him a moment of silence.

Again, we're driving on a Sunday evening and Ty is reflecting on our church service that day where a few elderly women spoke to the congregation.
T: When you get old, I don't want you to dye your hair. Those little old ladies with the snowball hair.. I have a thing for them..  they're just so cute.

I'm Not Made For This..

So Ty and I were asked to be den leaders in our ward. As usual we gladly accepted but I made it very well known that I was out of my element. 

8 year old boys? 

Really? 

We attended our very first Pack Meeting last night and it was about as noisy and overwhelming as I expected. Not to mention we played Capture the Flag, which is not my fondest memory from elementary school, and I single handedly made a little boy cry not even on purpose. 

So I guess we're off to a good start right? Here's to hoping it gets better and I look super fly in my scout shirt. 

*As whiny as I sounded, I'm happy to serve and know this will definitely be a learning experience.

Oh just some pics..

 I never take many pictures with my camera but when I do, it's pure gold. 

{Lil P playing with the felt make up kit I made her for Christmas}

{Jessica and Ash Ketchum "Christmas" morning. They waited til the 26th to celebrate with us.}

{Mumzy and I made Ash Ketchum a blanket but she wanted in on the action too}

{The sister and the niece}

{Their cute little fandamily}

{Oh just the last time I saw my bff ever} 

 .. Until the next time I empty my camera :) 

"My little baby is growing up and saving China!"

Which is exactly what the 7-year old version of this boy said when he and the Mumzy dropped me off for my first day of middle school. And now I should say the same about him. My parents, Ty and I dropped Little Brother off at the Missionary Training Center on Wednesday.

I thought I would be okay with it because back in October we dropped the sweet Matty boy off there too. But I guess something about living with a human for nearly two decades just pulls at your heartstrings like nothing you could imagine. It was emotionally straining and made me temporarily hope that we never have boy babies and maybe never have babies in general just {General Just *salute*} so I never have to send them off.

That being said,  I know that despite how hard it was for me and {especially} my parents to see my baby brother  and  their one and only boy child leaving us for two whole years, the sadness we feel will be matched over and over again by the joy he brings to the people in Texas as he shares the true Gospel of Jesus Christ and His Eternal Plan of Happiness.

I'm so happy for him and proud of his decisions. And I can't wait til I get used to the fact that he's not around anymore. Until then, just don't mention him or I may erupt in a sobbing mess.

Husbandisms 7

Getting ready to clean the house.. 
Em: What do you want to listen to?
Ty: Now that we're married, we're totally out of the music scene.
Em: You're totally right. So J. Biebs?
Ty: Sure.
Em: *starts dancing.. and not cleaning*
Ty: So is that a zumba move?
Em: *hangs head* uh yes.
Ty: Guess we're out of the dance scene too



This one has some explaining. Ty got his hair cut so he was itchy from the hair cut so he took his shirt off. And then he put an apron on to do the dishes. I was busy trying to finish up a lesson plan for my final and I hear the water turn off and Ty says, "Kitchen accomplished!" But I didn't really look up from my FINAL that was due the next day so he repeats himself, "Kitchen accomplished. Did you get that? Kitchen. Accomplished. Emily. Kitchen accomplished!"

Proud Parent

Surprise! We have a two year old. Just kidding :) But she's as good as ours. She photobombed mine and Tyler's picture during the family picture sesh and gave us the best smile of the day. 

(Sorry Josh, she just loves us more than you) Pictures will be forthcoming. 

Either way, this is her fish face that I taught her and I couldn't be more proud. 

Don't worry Ash Ketchum, Uncle Ty and Aunt Emy will take you when your parents have had enough. 

Husbandisms 6

Ty: Did you like my text earlier this morning?
Em: The one about a.m. radio?
Ty: Yeah that's the one.
(It had said, "I may or may not have listened to a.m. radio this morning")
Em: Was it because you felt like an adult on your way to your 9 to 5 job?
Ty: Yes, it just felt like the appropriate thing to do. Just listening to the traffic and the news. I like to be informed.

We're in our parking garage, waiting for people to go up the elevator so we don't have any awkward elevator rides.
Em: Do you think the coast is clear?
Ty: Yeah, I think we're good... but is it "the coast is clear" or "the ghost is clear"?
Em: It's "The coast is clear"
Ty: I think I've been saying "The ghost is clear" ever since I was little
Em: uncontrollable laughter
Ty: I mean, it makes sense. Ghosts are clear!

Keep On, Keeping On

This last month has been.. painful. The only thing that kept me going was the fact that when it was over, things would really be over. Even though I was only taking 12 credits, it some how destroyed my soul. But if I just passed my classes, I would be done for a whole summer before I student taught. And while I'm waiting to hear about my grades, I'm thinking back on the little things that kept me going. 

And it was all Tyler. Duh. I won't make you throw up with details but two specifics come to mind. First of all, we got a new calling the Sunday of finals. My biggest final was the next day and I had already given myself heart palpitations during the first hour of church. WE got "invited" to a meeting after church for our new callings and I melted. Tears. Fetal Position. Floor. Not in that order. So he offered to go by himself.  (Afterwords he told me he was the only boy there and he now understood why my RS meetings used to take so long.) It was slightly reminiscent of my home girl's meltdown featured below. Tyler also pointed our that our emotional scales are identical. 

Secondly, both of us were studying in my craft room one night (It was the cleanest room in the house. that tells you how messy our house was. yuck.) Ty decided he wanted ice cream and brought me back a tiny chocolate Ben & Jerry's. He comes back, sits against the wall while I'm sprawled out in the middle of the floor and hands me the ice cream. But he says, "Hey Girl, I brought you this ice cream because I know how hard you've been working." How could I not lose it? I laughed so hard. And I needed to. And in case you don't know what I'm talking about, here are a few gems. That's my boy, Ryan

 

 He helps me keep it real and that's really the best we can hope for :)

 

Oh Hey..

Remember us? Here's a refresher.

{We love hanging out at white trash amusement parks}

{Remember how I'm just super into golf?}

{Looking fly in his softball gear}

{Ty loves baking}

{I love sleeping}

{We love wearing sunglasses}

{I love looking super tan and attractive while I bake}

{And we're also really into BYU}